Bahrain’s hoteliers are upbeat about the Eid Al Fitr holiday windfall.

Initial signs look more than promising as tourism experts and owners of hotels say that the rates of occupancy will soar, which will benefit the hospitality sector in Bahrain, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

They expect bookings and room occupancy rates to exceed 90 per cent. According to early estimates, some hospitality experts said that many hotels could even be fully booked during the first three days of Eid Al Fitr.

“The five-day Eid break is long enough to encourage Gulf families to flock to Bahrain which boosts the tourism industry,” they said.

Crowne Plaza Hotel director-general Ibrahim Al Kooheji said that the rate of room occupancy hits 60pc on the first Eid day before reaching or even exceeding 90pc on the second and third days.

“Beachfront hotels located near shopping malls usually report the highest rates of occupancy,” he said, stressing the importance of lined-up Eid entertainment programmes in attracting visitors.

Citing Eid tourism trends, Al Kooheji said that Saudi families and Saudi-based residents represent a major bulk of GCC visitors with bookings topping 70 per cent.

Gulf Hotels Group managing director Mohamed Buzizi stressed the readiness of five-star hotels which have lined up entertainment programmes, musical concerts and special buffets.

He pointed out that hotel bookings usually hit 95pc on the second and third days and may even last until the end of the Eid Al Fitr holidays.

Golden Tulip director-general Abdulrahim Al Sayyed confirmed the trends pointing out that bookings have hit 60 per cent so far, adding that the peak of hotel room occupancy is usually on the eve of Eid Al Fitr.

Saudis flocking to Bahrain to spend their Eid Al Fitr holiday top the list, followed by Kuwaitis, Qataris and Emiratis.

Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa chief executive for sales and protocols Adel Boudawas stressed the importance of Eid Al Fitr vacation in revitalising the hospitality sector in Bahrain.

He said that the Eid windfall benefits hotels as well as restaurants, cafés, taxis, gift shops and other outlets. - TradeArabia News Service